American General: Airstrike on Kunduz Was at the Request of Afghan Forces

The commander of the international coalition forces in Afghanistan stated on Monday, October 5, that the airstrike on the city of Kunduz, which resulted in the death of several civilians, was conducted at the request of Afghan forces to counter Taliban attacks. According to Reuters, John Campbell, the American commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, said at a press conference: 'On Saturday, October 3, Afghan forces reported that they were under enemy fire and requested air support from American forces to confront the enemy.' The American commander added that an airstrike was carried out to eliminate Taliban forces, during which several civilians were accidentally targeted. During the conflict and the airstrike on the Kunduz hospital, 22 people were killed. Doctors Without Borders has labeled the attack on the Kunduz hospital as a 'war crime' and has called for an independent international investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the White House announced on Monday that it is confident that ongoing investigations by the United States, NATO, and the Afghan government will fully clarify the circumstances of the attack on this hospital in Kunduz. On the other hand, Christopher Stokes, the director-general of Doctors Without Borders, stated in response to General Campbell's remarks that the coalition commander is attempting to absolve his forces and shift responsibility to the Afghan government for this incident. The director-general of Doctors Without Borders stated: 'The reality is that American forces bombed a large hospital filled with injured patients and aid workers from Doctors Without Borders. The U.S. military remains responsible for the targets it bombs, even if they are a member of the coalition forces. There is no justification for this horrific attack.' Meanwhile, General Campbell stated on Monday that General Richard Kim, the senior investigator, is currently in Kunduz. According to Reuters, in addition to the U.S., NATO and the Afghan government are also conducting separate investigations into the attack on the Kunduz hospital. However, General Campbell stated: 'If mistakes were made (in this attack), we will acknowledge them, all those responsible will be held accountable, and we will take necessary actions to prevent the recurrence of such mistakes.' In response to Doctors Without Borders' request for an independent investigation into the attack on the Kunduz hospital, the commander of the international coalition forces emphasized that he would cooperate if an independent investigation is conducted. The city of Kunduz, with a population of 300,000, was captured by Taliban forces last week, but government forces have managed to drive them out of the main parts of the city. Doctors Without Borders reports that in the airstrike on the Kunduz hospital on Saturday, 22 patients and staff members of the organization were killed. In this context, the Afghan Ministry of Defense announced: 'Kunduz has been completely cleared of the Taliban.' Doctors Without Borders called for an independent investigation into the Kunduz incident. The United Nations condemned the attack on the Kunduz hospital; Obama stated: 'We will investigate.' At least 9 members of Doctors Without Borders died in the bombing of the Kunduz hospital. American fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in Kunduz. The Afghan government announced: 'We have retaken Kunduz from the Taliban.'